Newcastle-Online comment: 15th August 2004
Shay Given - 7
Produced 3 excellent saves, 3 goal saving saves. Was partially at
fault for Camera's winner having come too far off his line but other
than that an excellent performance. We do have the best two keepers
in the Premiership.
Aaron Hughes - 6
Looked lost at times and got caught out of position too much for my
liking. Got forward well but his crossing let him down.
Robbie Elliott - 5
Slow to react at times and poor positional sense allowed Celtic to
get into dangerous positions. Good in the air and tried his best but
centre-half is obviously not his forte. Can't really blame the lad,
being asked to play out of position. In that respect he did OK.
Titus Bramble - 7
Pick of the defence who helped out Elliott on a few occassions. Superb
in the air and his distribution was usually very good. A few scary
moments but all in all a very good game. Dealt with the responsibility
of being the senior (central) defender if you like very well and marshalled
the back four throughout. Let down by lack of midfield cover when
Butt went off and the walkabouts of Hughes and Bernard which resulted
in Bramble charging about at times trying to do too much.
Olivier Bernard - 5
Good going forward, sloppy in defence. Got caught out of position
an awful lot in this game but as always he stuck to his task and took
a few kicks for his troubles as he always does and without complaining
either. Wasn't helped by Robert in the first half.
James Milner - 8
Covered every blade of grass and ran himself into the ground. Got
forward well and defended well. Attacking wise he was a constant menace
to Celtic and whipped in some canny crosses with both his left and
right peg and although quite a few went wayward he was always in a
position to put them in. Switched to the left when Robert went off
at half time and did more in 10 minutes then the Frenchman did in
his 45 minute cameo. As the game wore on he swapped flanks in an attempt
to get at the Celtic defence. Showed a great piece of skill late on
the penalty box to turn his man before shooting. Took on his man at
all opportunities and had a very productive game. This lad has talent,
bags of it and although he's very raw he is a frightening prospect
and Robert ought to look at his work rate which was phenonamal.
Nicky Butt - 7
Gradually getting into the grove and looked much sharper than in the
Newcastle Gateshead Cup. Bossed the midfield at times and put in lots
of little challenges to break up the play. Passing was very good with
some excellent cross-field balls. What I liked about his performance
was how he looked to boss the game and to take it by the scruff of
the neck. It was no coincedence that after he went of Celtic started
to boss the midfield and all these fears that Newcastle will now play
a deeper game with Butt in the side can be squashed, after he went
off we dropped deep. When he was on he was always looking forward
therfore so was the team. The more he plays the classier he looks
and he's impressed me no end.
Kieron Dyer - 6
Lots of effort, lots of running and lots of good defensive work in
the first half but going forward he often made the wrong decision
and after Butt went off he contributed little beyond the usual huff
and puff - with Dyer in central midfield he can add to our attacking
game but when the opposition have the ball, huge gaps appear through
the midfield. He did set up Bellamy for his goal but up against a
sterner midfield he found it tough going at times.
Laurent Robert - 5
Got involved early on and played some nice balls and linked up well
but tracking back you want to see more aggression and more determination
which he didn't do. To be fair he is still carrying an injury however
and was brought of at half time for Brittain.
Alan Shearer - 5
No real goalscoring opportunites again and he looked statuesque for
large periods with Balde dominating him. Frustrating night for the
Skipper overall and this just wasn't his type of game where United
looked to play it on the deck (hooray) as much as possible. Could
have done more to shake off his man and I have to say his body language
doesn't look good. Was subbed for Kluivert.
Craig Bellamy - 9
So sharp he could cut himself. Terrorised the Celtic rearguard and
never stopped chasing and pressing all night. His first touch and
control was sublime at times and I doubt Celtic fans will see a better
player in the SPL all year - he was the best player on the pitch and
his sheer presence in the team gives us a whole different dimension.
Very involved and he took his goal magnificently - with his weaker
left foot as well. He was so calm, assured and deadly accurate that
you knew it was in as soon as it left his boot. He was still running
at 100mph hour with 5 minutes to go and he has without a doubt matured
and developed a footballing brain. For me he's our most important
player and he has to start. He wasn't just a goal threat but he did
so much defensive work and put in so much effort for the team too.
Outstanding and it's great to see - lets prey he stays fit because
he's indespensible really.
Subs brought on:
Patrick Kluivert - 5
The number 11 finally made it out on the pitch in a Black & White
shirt and as expected his first touch in the match was sloppy and
he very rarely got involved. Still he produced the most telling effort
on goal with 5 minutes remaining when his header was cleared from
under Ricardo's cross bar by a Sporting defender. Lots of training
to get that match fitness up.
Nicky Butt - 7
Had a much more productive and involved game then he did against Rangers
and soon settled into his defensive role winning little tackles on
the edge of the box, breaking up play and generally putting himself
about. Looks a class act and his passing was pretty decent too with
some clever little clipped balls and a few good long passes. Encouraging
performance.
Michael Chopra - 5
Come on as a late sub once again and rarely saw the ball. |
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